DHS awarded $27.7M for detention services, with Akima Global Services securing a firm-fixed-price contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,700,571 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Akima Global Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2015-04-23

End Date: 2016-06-30

Contract Duration: 434 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF DETENTION SERVICES AT KROME

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMI, MIAMI-DADE County, FLORIDA, 33194

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.7 million to AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF DETENTION SERVICES AT KROME Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in immigration detention infrastructure. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract warrant further examination given the award type. 4. Performance context is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of detention services. 5. This contract falls within the broader security and support services sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $27.7 million over its period of performance suggests a substantial expenditure for detention services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for immigration detention facilities is challenging without more granular data on service levels and facility capacity. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if managed effectively. However, without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of value-for-money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests a competitive process but with specific limitations or prior exclusions. The exact number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the breadth of competition. This award type can sometimes indicate a more specialized service or a situation where certain sources were initially considered but later excluded, potentially impacting the final price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While some level of competition was present, the exclusion of sources may have limited the potential for the most aggressive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers than a truly unrestricted competition might have yielded.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), receiving essential detention services. The services delivered include security guard and patrol functions, crucial for maintaining order and safety within detention facilities. The contract's geographic impact is localized to Florida (SN: FLORIDA), where the services are performed. Workforce implications include the creation or maintenance of jobs for security personnel and support staff employed by Akima Global Services, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details could obscure potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge service quality and efficiency.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires scrutiny to ensure fairness and prevent market distortion.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially leading to budget certainty.
Award to a single contractor implies a focused relationship for service delivery.
Contract duration provides a stable period for service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on security and support services. The market for government contracting in security and detention services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for these types of awards. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DHS or ICE contracts for similar detention operations, considering factors like facility size, inmate population, and service scope. The total contract value of $27.7 million positions it as a mid-to-large-sized contract within this niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus or requirement for this specific contract award. There is no indication of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans being a significant factor. This suggests that the prime contractor, Akima Global Services, LLC, is likely a larger entity, and the contract's structure did not prioritize direct engagement with the small business ecosystem for this particular service requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within DHS. Accountability measures would be defined by the contract's performance work statement and terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed operational oversight and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on specific reporting requirements and any subsequent audits or investigations initiated by the DHS Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

DHS Detention Management Contracts
ICE Facilities Operations
Federal Security Services Contracts
Immigration Enforcement Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Lack of performance metrics
Unclear justification for source exclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.7 million to AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF DETENTION SERVICES AT KROME

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKIMA GLOBAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-04-23. End: 2016-06-30.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the competition process?

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain potential bidders were excluded based on predefined criteria or circumstances. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data but could stem from factors such as past performance issues, inability to meet specific technical requirements, or strategic sourcing decisions by the agency. Understanding these exclusions is crucial for assessing whether the competition was truly as broad as possible and if it potentially limited price discovery for the government. Agencies typically document such exclusions in the contract file, often citing FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) clauses that permit such actions under specific conditions.

How does the per-unit cost of these detention services compare to industry benchmarks or similar government contracts?

Without specific data on the number of detainees served, the duration of stays, or the specific services provided per detainee (e.g., housing, meals, medical care, transportation), it is impossible to accurately calculate a meaningful per-unit cost for comparison. The total contract value of $27.7 million is for security guard and patrol services, not the full cost of detention operations. To benchmark, one would need to normalize costs based on factors like average daily population, facility capacity, and the scope of security services. Comparing this contract's value to other ICE contracts for similar security services at detention facilities, adjusted for scale and location, would be the most appropriate method, but such comparative data is not readily available in this summary.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how has Akima Global Services performed against them?

The provided data does not include the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract. Typically, for security guard and patrol services, KPIs might include response times to incidents, adherence to post orders, personnel training and certification levels, incident reporting accuracy, and overall facility security effectiveness. Performance against these KPIs would be monitored by the contracting officer's representative (COR) at ICE. Without access to performance reports, contractor self-assessments, or government evaluations, it's not possible to assess Akima Global Services' performance under this specific contract. Such information is usually found in contract performance databases or agency inspection reports.

What is the historical spending pattern for detention services by ICE, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

This contract, awarded in 2015 for a period ending in 2016, represents a specific expenditure within ICE's broader budget for detention operations. Historical spending on detention services by ICE has generally been substantial, reflecting the agency's mission. To understand the trend, one would need to analyze ICE's total obligations for detention contracts over multiple fiscal years. This $27.7 million contract would be one data point. Factors influencing historical spending include changes in immigration policy, apprehension levels, and the utilization of different types of detention facilities (e.g., government-run vs. contract facilities). This particular contract appears to be for a defined period and scope, likely supplementing or providing specific security functions rather than encompassing the entirety of a large detention center's operational costs.

Are there any known issues or controversies related to Akima Global Services' past performance on similar government contracts?

Assessing Akima Global Services' past performance requires accessing databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or agency-specific records, which are not included in the provided summary data. Generally, government agencies evaluate a contractor's past performance as a significant factor in award decisions. If there were significant performance issues, such as contract terminations for default, repeated failures to meet requirements, or unresolved disputes, these could be documented. Without access to these records, it's impossible to definitively state whether Akima Global Services has a history of issues on similar contracts. However, the award itself suggests that, at the time of the award, their past performance was deemed acceptable by ICE for this requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Guards and Patrol Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation Inc (UEI: 079253761)

Address: 3901 OLD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RD STE 200-G, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99502

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,700,571

Exercised Options: $27,700,571

Current Obligation: $27,700,571

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEDM14D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline